All Africa.com reported that Nigerian federal government has awarded a NGN 33 billion contract for the design and completion of the remaining 22 kilometres long Ajaokuta to Warri rail line. The contracts were awarded to Team Nigeria and Julius Berger PLC, respectively.

The contract sum also covered the sidings of Ajaokuta Warri rail line up to Delta Steel Aladja Warri and construction of 6 station buildings as well as rehabilitation of the completed portion of the line up to 254 kilometres.

Mr Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio Nigerian minister of transport, who signed the contract agreement on behalf of the federal government in Abuja, said that it was in pursuance of the key component of the present administration's Seven Point Agenda, which is the provision of basic transport infrastructure and expansion of the scope of passenger and cargo transportation.

The above signing of rail line construction agreement is the third in the last few weeks, a development the minister tied to the determination of this administration to revamp the railway transport infrastructure in the country.

Mr Bio said that "The signing of this contract agreement for the completion of central line is very remarkable, as it demonstrates the full commitment of this administration to restore the loss glory of the Nigerian railways and revitalising it into a modern railway system."

Describing the railway sector as most significant infrastructural development in Nigeria, he said that the sector would stimulate economic growth, increase employment generation, improve rapid socio political integration between the South to South region on the one hand and the other parts of the country on the other.

He added that "Its no doubt is a demonstration of the President's resolute commitment to the rapid transformation of the Niger Delta region as contained in His Excellency's recent post amnesty speech. The completion of the Ajaokuta Warri rail line (other wise called the central railway line) will create a vital artery which other connecting horizontal East West lines will be built to bring about an integrated rail road network in the country for seamless transportation."

(Sourced from allafrica.com)